Sunday, January 10, 2010

What I've been reading, week 1

With all my reading challenges (!) I'm going to plan a weekly post to talk about what I have been reading during the week. Since one of the challenges I signed up for was to read a book every week, I better have something to talk about each week.

I'm really excited about doing this. Can't imagine anyone else really cares, but I love the idea of tracking what I'm reading a bit better, and especially of thinking about what I'm reading enough to say something at least somewhat intelligent about it.

Finished:Till We Have Faces, by C. S. Lewis. I've read a few Lewis books, quite a few actually, but there are still so many out there. Connor is supposed to be reading this book for school, and it was one that there were 'caution' notes to the parents. So, I figured I had better read it.
So far, the Lewis books I have read are stories (like the Narnia books), or are more theology (Mere Christianity, Screwtape Letters). This one is different. This is the retelling of the Cupid & Psyche myth, told by one of Psyche's big sisters.

I really enjoyed it. Especially as you end up hearing so many different versions of what happened. There is how it happened as seen through the eyes of the sister as it happened, there is the version that became the myth, and there is the version through the eyes of the sister many years after it happened.

Interesting premise, and C. S. Lewis is such a talented author. I was caught up in the story more than I expected to be. Lewis has a way of really making me feel like I know his characters. And I'm never again going to be fuzzy on which myth Psyche is part of!

The best part was thinking about the various philosophies that were presented, and wrestling with some of what that means to me, as a Christian.

The reader, Nadia May, was excellent. I could always tell who was speaking, and the pacing was perfect.

For the record, the 'cautions' had to do with violence, sexuality, idol worship, alcohol use, and so on. I did NOT listen to this book while my kids were around (they do tend to overhear bits and pieces of my audiobooks). I think it is totally appropriate for Connor (age 12) this year, but I don't think it would necessarily make a great read-aloud for elementary kids.

In progress:

The Iliad: Connor has this assigned to him over four weeks, and I am reading along.The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke. Just started. Christian historical fiction.America-- The Last, Best Hope Volume II by William J. Bennett, my current audio book.

9 comments:

This sounds so interesting. It's nearly impossible for me to borrow Lewis' writing from our library, all they have is Narnia or Mere Christianity :( Maybe if I heckle them enough they'll add this to their stock.